Checkrein for harness.



W. a. ION. GHECKREIN FOB HARNESS. APPLICATION FILED MAY 10, 1912.

1,066,279. I Patented July 1,1913.

Lgammmmn S WITNESSES INVENTOR 5 /51 ZJ0/7.-

. BY p QMMdE/Lzp 6 f? ATTORNEYS I *rrnn stains FATENT W WILLIAM E. ION, OF LITTLETON, WEST VIRGINIA.

CHEOKBJEIN FOR HARNESS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 1, 1913.

Application filed May 10, 1912. Serial No. 696,350.

take-up device for the check rein of a bridle,

whereby the check rein can be released and restored to its normal position without the driver of a vehicle leaving the same.

Another object of this invention is to provide a spring actuated take-up device for a check rein that can be easily and quicklyreleased by a driver manipulating a whip that has a knot or other obstruction that can be placed in engagement with the device to release the same.

A further object of this invention isto provide a check rein holder that is durable, inexpensive to manufacture, and highly ellicient for the purposes for which it is intended.

With the above and other objects in view the invention resides in a novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter specifically described and then claimed.

Reference will now be had to the drawing, wherein like numerals denote corresponding parts throughout the several views, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of a harness provided with the attachment. Fig. 2 is a large side elevation of the attachment. same with one of the end plates or caps thereof removed. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the attachment. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the attached check rein hook or holder.

In the accompanying drawing there is illustrated a bridle that is designated 1, said bridle having a check rein 2, the end of which is adapted to be detachably held relatively to the saddle 3 of the harness, whereby a horses head will be maintained in an elevated position when being driven.

Mounted upon the saddle 3 is a saddle plate 4 and detachably mounted in said Fig. 3 is a similar View of the plate is a screw 5 that has a head 6 and a spacing block 7. Mounted bet-ween the spacing block Tand head 6 of the screw is a cylindrical casing 8 that has the ends thereof interiorly screw threaded as at 9,

.to receive end plates or caps 10 that close the casing 8. The-end plate or caps 10 are furthermore connected by alongitudinal bolt 7 11 provided with a nut 12, said boltbeing fixed relatively to the end plates or caps 10.

Pivotally mounted upon the bolt 11, within the cylindrical casing 8 is adrum orspool 13, said drum being spaced intermediate the endcplates or caps 10 by a spacing washer l4,

and a coiled spiral spring 15. The spring 1.5 is attached to the bolt 11, as at 16 andthe opposite end of said spring is attached to a'wrist pin 17 carried by the drum or spool 13. V

Attached to the drum or spool 13 is the inner end of a tape or strap 18 that is wound upon said drum or spool, as best shown in Fig. 4. The tape 18 extends through a slot 19 provided therefor in the cylindrical casing 8, and the outer end of the tape is bent or folded upon itself, as at 20 and riveted or otherwise secured, as at 21 to a check line holder 22. The check line holder 22 has an angle stop 23, a latch 24 and a hooked shaped end 25. The latch 24 is formed by bending the inner end of the holder 22 and the angle stop 23 is held by the rivet or fastening means 21 employed for attaching the holder to the outer end of the tape 18.

Held between the spacing block 7 and the cylindrical casing 8 is a flat spring 26 that extends around the casing 8 to the top thereof and is provided with a keeper 27 that has a transverse head 28 to engage behind the latch 24, which is the form of two prongs, as best shown in Fig. 5. The keeper 27' has a vertical arm 29 provided with a notch 30and it is in this notch that the knotted end of a whip is placed for shifting the keeper 27 to release the latch 24.

I The check rein 2 is attached to the hook shaped end 25 of the rein holder 22 and with the angle stop 23 in engagement with the casing 8, the keeper '27 engages the latch 24 and prevents a horse from lowering its head. The driver of a vehicle can easily place the knotted end of the whip in engagement with the arm 29 and by pulling upon the whip the arm 29 is moved to release the latch 24. The horse can then lower its head and in so doing the spring is placed under tension and the tape or strap 18 unwound, as shown in Fig. 1.

When the horse places its head in an upright position, for instance, after drinking water, the sprlng 15 revolves the drum or,

18 and correctly positions the check rein; holder whereb the check rein will be held; at'the proper angle to *retain the horses 1' head in an elevated position.

It is thought that the operation and utility of the harness attaehlnent will be apparent without further description, and I would have it understood that the invention is susceptible to such changes as are permissible by the appended e'laian.

What I elaim is A check rein attachment for harness comprising-a casing, a spring controlled *drum arranged therein, a tape wound upon the 1 The angle stop 23 limits drum and having one end projecting from the top of said casing, an upwardly inclined check rein holder having its end provided with a pair of lugs and a slot, an angleshaped stop securing said tape to the lower face of the holder and engaging the casing for limiting inward movement of the tape, means for connecting the casing to a saddle plate, a spring extending around the rear portion of and upon the, top of the casin and having its lower end connected to saic means, a keeper carried by the upper end of said Spring and "extending between said lugs and engaging in said slot for preventing movementin either direction of said holder,

and a vertically disposed notched arm carried at the rear of the keeper and adapted to be engaged by a suitable device forshift-ing the keeper to release the holder.

In testimony whereof I aflix any signature in the presence oi? two Witnesses.

W'ILLIAM ION. 'Witnesses:

WM. Maorrmsmr, H. L. ORIoKB'oUaz'N.

copies r this :pa'ceiit may bc obtai"nei1 "for in tents each, by aildiess'iiig the Commissioner 6r Tate'nts. Washington, "D; e. 

